Tyre suppliers for old cars

[theorganist]

Hello,

 

I have found out I need some new tyres for my Renault 14. Although they all have good treads they are all out of shape, I think they are all quite old, in fact the rear left side appears to be having an argument with the shock absorber!!

 

The tyres are 145 SR 13, not sure of the width as the car is at the garage at the moment. Tyre shopper only has 145 x 80 x 13 tyres in its 145 size range. I know kwikfit had a couple at around £80 each a few months ago!

 

I assume there must be plenty of older cars with wheels that are of an obsolete size today, so can anyone on here recommend anyone who specialises on tyres for old cars?! I will try some of my local "independants" tomorrow.

 

Tyres had not been something I had considered when purchasing an old and unusual car!!

 

Many thanks,

Pete.

[dollywobbler]

Surely 145x13s can't be that tricky to find? They used to be fitted to pretty much everything. Blackcircles and MyTyres not able to help? You will need to get the profile though.

[catsinthewelder]

Hows this?

 

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/search? ... 4&x=19&y=6

 

I'm assuming that SR and TR are speed rating, then R for radial, S is 112mph, T is 118 mph

 

I havn't used them but they put great adverts in Practical Classics

[Guest]

When they list no profile isn't it assumed to be 80?

 

If so, 145/80/13s aren't particularly unusual, wide range of them on http://www.mytyres.co.uk and it's only a little above £30 to get into the "fancy" makes, then just get some local place to swap them on. That's what I do anyway.

[theorganist]

Hi,

 

Cheers all thanks for you help, I have obviously not been looking in the right places!

 

Pete.

[jonathan_dyane]

You seem to be a little confused with the interpretation of the numbers on the tyre. To read tyre size the '145' bit is the width in mm, the '80' is the profile (the 80 meaning 80% of the width) and 13, the wheel size expressed in inches.

 

Really old (usually crossply) tyres had a profile which was 100% of the width, however *most* radials as standard from the 60s onwards came as default with a profile of 80, however this was never usually expressed on the profile. Your R14 probably had 145 R13 tyres fitted from new, which are in fact 145 80 13.

 

Various brand's available here delivered for less than 30 quid a corner http://www.mytyres.co.uk/

 

I'd buy the Vredesteins.

 

Hope this helps

[jonathan_dyane]

Sorry, Hirst beat me to it

[M'coli]

If they are listed as, for example, 165x13, then the aspect ratio is 82%, rather than 80% - but the difference is so slight that it's not illegal to mix them on an axle.

[theorganist]

When they list no profile isn't it assumed to be 80?

 

If so, 145/80/13s aren't particularly unusual, wide range of them on http://www.mytyres.co.uk and it's only a little above £30 to get into the "fancy" makes, then just get some local place to swap them on. That's what I do anyway.

 

You seem to be a little confused with the interpretation of the numbers on the tyre. To read tyre size the '145' bit is the width in mm, the '80' is the profile (the 80 meaning 80% of the width) and 13, the wheel size expressed in inches.

 

Really old (usually crossply) tyres had a profile which was 100% of the width, however *most* radials as standard from the 60s onwards came as default with a profile of 80, however this was never usually expressed on the profile. Your R14 probably had 145 R13 tyres fitted from new, which are in fact 145 80 13.

 

Various brand's available here delivered for less than 30 quid a corner http://www.mytyres.co.uk/

 

I'd buy the Vredesteins.

 

Hope this helps

 

I think I am getting very confused lol!! Tyres used to be something I never really thought about, just took the car down to kwikbuck. Just a continuation of the learning curve that is owning an old car.

 

Anyway I think it is a little clearer now, thanks to you all. Think the Vredsteins do look the most likely.

 

Pete

[Cavcraft]

It'll certainly be a learning curve if you use Kwik-Fit-Up.

[sporty-shite]

It'll certainly be a learning curve if you use Kwik-Fit-Up.

 

You'll learn about problems with parts you didn't even know existed*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Because they probably don't!

[Jordan T]

I bought 4 of these for my little Toledo, a few month ago, from blackcircles....I had excellent service

 

http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/f ... e=10984408

[dollywobbler]

It'll certainly be a learning curve if you use Kwik-Fit-Up.

 

Indeed. Find any small local garage with tyre fitting kit. They're sometimes worth asking for a quote for tyres, though internet often wins. If I'm feeling flush, I'll ignore t'web, especially if they've got the tyres in stock. If I end up buying online, a contribution to the tea/beer fund usually has the net-bought tyres fitted.

[Lankytim]

I'm sure I have a couple of these in my shed, brand new uniroyals. I bought a set of 4 in error for my Allegro, I sent them back but the courier returned them, after losing a pair (DHL Bastards). If you are interested i'll have a dig about and see if they still exist or have been eaten by slugs.

[theorganist]

@Tim, Thats a very kind offer, thankyou.

 

It'll certainly be a learning curve if you use Kwik-Fit-Up.

 

You'll learn about problems with parts you didn't even know existed*

 

Oh I know! I only took it in to have tracking adjusted and for them to fix the knocking exhaust, to be fair they did re- mount my exhaust for free!! It was then they tried selling me some tyres even though at the time my tyres were fine!!

 

Then one of the guys suggested they could service it!!!! That was until the manager told him they could not get the parts!!

 

Find any small local garage with tyre fitting kit.

 

My local garage have such a kit so will definately use them. Certainly no intention of using kwikfit again!